Clothes-drier



UNITED srarvns rtgrENT OFFIOE.

JOSEE JOHNSON, OF NEW ORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, AND JOHN WARD, JR., OF BROOKLYN, NEVI" YORK.

CLOTHES-DRIER.

Specification of Letters Yatent No. 30,551, dated October 30, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Bo it known that I, Joslin JOHNSON, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and use ful Improvement in Clothes-Driers or Folding Backs for Clothes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l, shows the frame in an extended condition. Fig. Q shows the same in a folded condition, and Figs. 3 and 4, are plan views on a larger scale, showing modifications of the blocks or connections at the top and bottom.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

My invention is a new article of manufacture consisting of two series of arms each supporting several series of clothes lines, hinged to each other and to connecting blocks, and provided with a tension cord or its equivalent between the blocks; all so arranged relatively to each other as to constitute a portable self-supp orting clothes frame, capable of a wide spread in comparison to its height, substantially as hereinafter set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation by the aid of the drawings and of the letters of reference marked thereon.

A is a block of wood or metal in the form of a Greek cross. B is a similar block.

C and D are rods jointed together at c and jointed to A and B in the manner represented,-O being jointed to A and D to B. The oints c are not in the center of the rods C or D but a little nearer the ends thereof which are united to A or B.

Gr, Gr, are clothes lines attached to the rods D. H, H, are similar lines attached to the rods C, at the points represented.

J is a line fixed permanently to A and adapted to be connected at pleasure to the block B by means of the hook K and eye bolt .7).

Wvhen my clothes drier is compressed together laterally it assumes the condition shown in Fig. 2. The frame may be extended by a gentle force, applied laterally, into the condition shown in Fig. l, the ends of the rods C extending below the block B,

as shown in the figure, and the whole being supported upon the ground or ioor by the ends of these rods, C, forms a convenient and portable frame, having a great extension laterally but with a moderate height. t is, for this latter reason especially adapted for use within dwellings where the ceilings are of but moderate height. It is readily extended by first loosening the parts by pulling them a little at the joints, e, and then planting one leg or base of O firmly upon the floor or ground, and seizing the corresponding rod diametrically opposite pulling the two horizontally apart, to its full extent, when the cord J is fastened, and the cords or clothes lines Gr and H are loaded with clothes. The reverse of this process reduces the frame again to its closely folded condition.

A convenient size for the frame is obtained by making the rods C and D about eight feet in length, placing the joint or connection e three feet and ten inches from the ends which are jointed to the blocks, and allowing the frame to spread to an extreme width of about twelve feet, measured diagonally. Thus proportioned the block B will stand about three inches above the Hoor or earth when the frame stands extended thus relieving it from any bearing. The lowermost of the lines Gr or H will stand about three feet high allowing a person, by stoop ing, to pass under and load the lines H from the inside.

In exposed situations the cord J may be secured to a stake or other xture in the earth. In such cases it will serve the same purpose as before-that is, it will prevent the weight of the clothes on the lines Gr and H from causing the frame to partially close, and it will also guard against the apparatus being moved by wind or other disturbing cause.

My invention may be very cheaply constructed and is very strong. It exposes more line and that more favorably for the purpose desired than any other portable drier of equal cost. It spreads to a greater extent laterall in proportion to its height and allows tie clothes depending from either of the lines to hang nearly to the ground without contact either with each other or the supports.

Instead of the cruciform blocks A, B, shown in Figs. l and 2, circular or polygonal blocks or rings may be employed if in the manner substantially as described so 1;) preferred and instead ofV four arms in eachV as to produce the ei'ects herein set forth.

series, a greater or less number may be used In Witness whereof I have hereunto set as shown n Figs. 3 and 4. my name in presence of tWo subscribing 5 Having noW fully described my invention Witnesses. Y

What I claim as new therein and desire to JOSEE JOHNSON. secure by Letters Patent is.7 Witnesses:

The arrangement of the blocks A B, arms G. I-I. BABCOCK,

.C D, joints e, lines G I-I and'tension cord J T. SNYDER. 

